Events and reports over the past two weeks have left Zimbabweans scrambling to sort fact from rumour, reports Kiyara Matambanadzo, 16, a Correspondent from Harare in Zimbabwe. The biggest question is what comes next. The unrest that had taken over Zimbabwe in the past few years came to a tumultuous head within the space of …

“Anticipation for change swirls in Zimbabwe” Read More »

by Diyaulhaq Bin Usman The one-year mandatory scheme  scheme has been in existence since 1975, when it was created by the government. The dual purpose of the scheme is to inculcate in Nigerian youths the spirit of selfless service to the community, and to emphasise the spirit of oneness and brotherhood of all Nigerians, irrespective of …

“Ghosts in the National Youth Service scheme” Read More »

RCS Associate Fellow Julius Karl Fieve, 28, is one of the youngest people elected as an Assembly Member to represent his community at the District Assembly in Ghana. Michael Gyekye, 24, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Ghana, speaks with this rising young community leader.  Michael Gyekye: Can you tell us something about yourself – family, education and …

“From teenage farmer to community leader” Read More »

Recently, Uganda’s media was awash with a bribery story involving top government officials. Badru Walusansa, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kampala in Uganda, argues the story underlines the need for nation-wide commitment to fight corruption. The scandal happened after President Museveni had declared war against all corrupt bureaucrats in his government, and near the same time …

“We need political will to tackle corruption” Read More »

Nigeria is lowering the age limit for elected positions, but Alabidun Sarat, 22, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Lagos in Nigeria, wonders if younger candidates are ready to run for office – and if so, what changes they will bring. As of this February, 24 out of the 36 states in Nigeria have now signed the …

“Do Nigerian youth really want to run?” Read More »

Democracy requires both leadership and institutional strength, writes Metolo Foyet, 20, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Cameroon now living in Niger, who argues for robust changes that will allow economic growth and trust in the social contract. Decades ago, Africa witnessed a multitude of coups. Many were organised by disenchanted armies who disliked bad governance and …

“Africa’s alarming deficit of good leadership” Read More »

Africa struggles with some concepts imported from western philosophies, writes Metolo Foyet, 21, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Cameroon now living in Niger, as she surveys the interplay of democracy and choice. As I have mentioned, Africa has a legacy of imported western philosophies adopted through colonisation. In order to develop its nations, the North exploited the …

“Can western ways work in Africa ?” Read More »

Nigeria has both natural resources and inherent problems, writes Nnabugwu Chukwuebuka, 25, a Correspondent from Uzii in Nigeria, who argues the country’s greatest asset is the attitude of its people. A promising country, sitting as the hub of Africa, Nigeria finds itself adorned with beauties of different colours of indigenes, ranging from light- to dark-brown …

“Amidst worry, sun still smiles on Nigeria” Read More »

Correspondent Bryan Opany, 25, from Nairobi in Kenya, is a photographer. He shares his photos from a demonstration over a controversial coal-fired power plant project in Kenya. “I was invited by the grassroots environment movement 350 Kenya, to produce feature stories highlighting the concerns of environmental activists about the Lamu coal power plant in Kenya. …

“Protest against coal power plant” Read More »

Theories abound about the sources of Africa’s problems, writes Metolo Foyet, 21, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Cameroon now living in Niger, who argues that leadership is critical in the effort to nurture democracy on the continent. “One of the main causes of terrorism is poverty. The vulnerability of Africa’s porous borders should be tackled. Police …

” Conflict, leadership and democracy in Africa” Read More »